1
as in jumble
a state in which everything is out of order
things at the newly built school were all in a muddle on opening day
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2
as in daze
a state of mental confusion
I was in such a muddle after the accident that I didn't know where I was
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3
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the new, supposedly improved forms simply put taxpayers in a bigger muddle
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4
as in variety
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a muddle of old magazines piled on the shelves
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1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
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2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddle
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The brand confusion surrounding HBO in the streaming realm goes back years, before Warner Bros. Discovery was formed from Discovery’s acquisition WarnerMedia (previously called Time Warner; there’s another naming muddle for you).
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
On the menu: Reconciliation bill still sinking with voters; New York mayoral muddle; DNC’s chair agonistes; Crowded field could save Cassidy; Don’t sweat it
Today is West Virginia Day, the holiday celebrating the 35th state’s admission to the union on June 20, 1863.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The brand confusion surrounding HBO in the streaming realm goes back years, before Warner Bros. Discovery was formed from Discovery’s acquisition WarnerMedia (previously called Time Warner; there’s another naming muddle for you).
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Verb
The beets overpower the beef and muddle any nuance in the tartare.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The move sparked anxiety, confusion and intense pushback from public school districts and advocates nationwide.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
27 July 2025
-
Anxious confusion creeps in when the Virgo moon triggers Uranus.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Over 70 artists will show a variety of fine art, ranging from glass to garden art, wood sculpting to jewelry, and paintings to photography.—
Elaine Rewolinski,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
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The products have been sold at a variety of retailers, including Walmart, Target, Costco and Amazon.—
Melina Khan,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 July 2025
-
Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The industry’s year of strikes in 2023 also disrupted the flow of Hollywood movie releases to the local multiplex.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
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Frequent use can disrupt normal bowel function and lead to laxative dependence or chronic constipation.7 Only use castor oil under medical guidance.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The Twins approached the deadline in fourth place, six games under .500, 12 games out in the division, a fragile mess.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Scientists have spent decades puzzling over potatoes’ origin story, in large part because the plants’ genetics are a bit of a mess, Ek Han Tan, a plant geneticist at the University of Maine who wasn’t involved in the study, told me.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
31 July 2025
Noun
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That means when that tornado hits Kansas, the 10,000 people inside the Sphere will have wind whipping at their face, leaves flying in front of them, bolts of lightning puncturing the fog and swirling haze that the company will create inside the venue itself.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 July 2025
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Canada has suffered from severe wildfires since a record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, when fires burning in Quebec blanketed New York City in an orange haze.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Noun
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Zero visibility protocol: In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business's parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2025
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Mercury shifts direct in your partnership sector on August 11th, clearing the fog around romantic or creative dynamics.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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